Centrelink staff aim for blanket coverage
Victoria Media Release
Tuesday, 27 July 2010
Greater Dandenong residents are being encouraged to join Centrelink staff in donating blankets as part of a local charity drive to support the homeless.
Dandenong-based Centrelink Community Engagement Officer (CCEO), Tim Webster, said Winter was a particularly difficult time for the homeless and vulnerable people in the community.
"Part of being a CCEO is to get out from behind our desks to drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, mental health units, hostels, boarding houses, refuges and drop-in centres.
"What I'm hearing over and over again is that is how hard it is to get through the cold days and nights, how there are people in our community who are at a loss for how to keep warm.
"Relief centres, such as Cornerstone in Dandenong, are struggling to keep up with the demand for basic items like blankets.
"I thought to myself, 'we can help here' - a warm blanket on a cold night is something that so many of us take for granted, and it's not much to give, but it could make a big difference to someone's winter.
"It started with asking for support from Centrelink staff, and then I thought it would be great if the whole community could get involved too.
"We will be making a donation to Cornerstone on August 8, but if we can get a lot of support we might be able to help more local charities."
Tim is one of 90 specialist CCEOs located across all capital cities and many regional centres, supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
"Our job is to offer extra support and assistance to particularly vulnerable customers and try to really help them change their lives," said Tim.
"It's a great job - because I know we can make a real difference in the lives of some of our community’s most vulnerable people."
Centrelink staff from Dandenong, Springvale, Pakenham and Fountain Gate Customer Service Centres will be donating blankets over the coming week. Blankets can be left at Dandenong Centrelink, 27-29 Robinson Street, Dandenong, during business hours until August 7.
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.